ExxonMobil gives $25,000 to Philly high school X Prize team for Hybrid K-1 Attack
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For ExxonMobil, $25,000 is not a lot of money. For a group of high-school students working on a 100+ mpg car for the Automotive X Prize, it's a great boost to get their Hybrid K-1 Attack – or whatever vehicle the team enters into the AXP (the press release mentions but does not describe two vehicles – to the next stage. The money was presented to the students of the West Philly Hybrid X Team, based at the West Philadelphia High School Academy for Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, earlier this week by U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah and ExxonMobil Foundation President Gerald McElvy.
The Hybrid K-1 Attack is a biodiesel-burning hybrid that, last we heard, could get to 60 mpg. The body is taken from a standard K-1 Attack, a Slovakian kit car.
[Source: ExxonMobil]
PRESS RELEASE:
WEST PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL'S AUTO ACADEMY RECEIVES GRANT FROM EXXONMOBIL FOUNDATION TO BUILD 100 MPG CAR OF THE FUTURE
$25,000 Grant Supports Philadelphia Academies, Inc.'s Program and Student X PRIZE Entry
WHO: U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah
Lisa J. Nutter, President, Philadelphia Academies, Inc.
Gerald W. McElvy, President, ExxonMobil Foundation
Students from West Philadelphia High School's Automotive Academy
WHAT: The road to success just got a little smoother for students in Philadelphia Academies, Inc.'s West Philadelphia High School Automotive Academy. A $25,000 contribution from ExxonMobil Foundation will aid the students in finalizing their entry in the international Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition, where they are competing against automakers and innovators to design a viable, clean and super-efficient car that achieves 100 MPG.
On Monday, U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah and ExxonMobil Foundation President Gerald McElvy will meet student members of the West Philly Hybrid X Team, based at the West Philadelphia High School Academy for Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, as they unveil two under-production, super-fast, super fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles that could revolutionize the auto industry.
"Our support of the West Philly Hybrid X Team, their technology and innovation is a reflection of ExxonMobil's belief in the next generation of engineers, scientists and mathematicians," said Gerald McElvy. "The excitement, enthusiasm and determination of these students to find new energy efficient solutions is a sure sign that we will find the answers to questions that today we don't even know to ask. By supporting their creativity and energy, ExxonMobil knows there is no limit to what these students can do."
WHY: The students represent one of 111 teams from 25 U.S. states and 11 countries competing in the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, developed by the X PRIZE Foundation. At stake is a share in a $10 million purse.
The West Philly Hybrid X Team has designed, built and raced alternative fuel vehicles for 10+ years. Their Hybrid K-1 Attack earned them bragging rights as the first-place finisher on the national Tour De Sol Race in 2002, 2005 and 2006.
WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 14
WHERE: West Philadelphia High School Auto Annex
221 S. Hanson Street (between 48 and 49 street on Walnut)
Philadelphia, PA 19139
VISUALS: Academy students showcase green vehicles in the works. ExxonMobil Foundation representatives present a check for $25,000.
About Philadelphia Academies
Philadelphia Academies, Inc. is a nonprofit youth development organization that expands life and economic options for Philadelphia public school students through career-focused programming. Established 40 years ago, Academy programs now operate in 17 high schools and two middle schools, and include 14 career fields. The Academy for Automotive and Mechanical Engineering is a standalone 200-student annex of West Philadelphia High School. In 1998, the Academy launched an innovative Electric Vehicle Program, where students are engaged in hands-on in designing, building and competing with alternative fuel vehicles. www.academiesinc.org or www.evxteam.org.
About ExxonMobil Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2008, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $225 million in contributions worldwide, of which more than $89 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jpm 6:55PM (9/16/2009)
oh PLEASE, give me a break, exxon mobil would prefer everyone in an SUV.
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Mark Kiernan 7:03PM (9/16/2009)
Make that a V12 SUV, I am sick of seeing advertisments around the internet from companies like Exxon spewing how they are looking into "new ways to power the future".
Chris M 8:37PM (9/16/2009)
But they ARE looking for new ways to power the future, they want to make money off of it. That's why Exxon Mobil is a member of the "California Fuel Cell Partnership", they are promoting H2 as they hope to sell us that profitable new fuel when the oil runs low.
Matt234 6:52AM (9/17/2009)
Sure, this is a publicity stunt, but why not if they have the money and need the publicity? And don't bash them just because they are Exxon. Exxon has a history to make up for, but they are doing some good things:
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/07/14/14greenwire-exxon-sinks-600m-into-algae-based-biofuels-in-33562.html
$600M is not pocket change even for Exxon. To me, this is the biggest possible proof that we're "running out of oil" (read: able to find slightly less oil than we would like). Exxon knows something, and they are preparing for the change.
Bus Rand 10:08AM (9/17/2009)
Oh, you and Mark are so right! The only goal of any oil company is to destroy the world....... and make obscene amounts of money.......... they won't be able to spend......... since they've destroyed the world and all. All the oil execs have a secret space station where they're going to live when they destroy the world you know! They even have a special religious temple dedicated to the Hummer.
Never mind the fact that Exxon Mobil is contributing more to education (among many other things) than all the greenies combined throughout your lifetime in taxes. Of course, anyone saying anything on behalf of the oil industry are most certainly being paid off. I'm expecting my check tomorrow. I even get a bonus for driving an SUV!
This industry could convert 100% to hydrogen production next week and you people will find some insane, childish, conspiratorial reason to hate them. Initially it will probably be because you're walking! Better dust the cobwebs off that bike you claim to ride so much. Oh, I forgot.......you hate the coal industry as well, so you better dust off the exercise bike was well. You'll need it to power your computer for putting guys like me in their place. It's pretty damn hilarious Mark that the only encyclopedia you people use is wikipedia. Gee, I wonder why that is? Hummmmmmm.
Nick From Montreal 7:17PM (9/16/2009)
When in trouble, create a diversion by giving to the poor. In the future, oil companies will be as desirable as cigarette and gun producers: tolerated but limited in their ability to sponsor and advertise to young people.
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Yanquetino 10:04PM (9/16/2009)
Pure P.R.B.S., folks. Think about it. ExxonMobil earned the biggest profit in history last year, despite the economic downturn: $45.2 billion! No kidding, then, that this donation "is not a lot of money": it amounts to 0.000055% of those earnings. To put it in perspective, it would be like earning $45,200 last year and giving 2 & 1/2 cents to charity.
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letstakeawalk 3:04AM (9/17/2009)
"In 2008, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided a combined $189 million in cash, goods and services worldwide. Of the total, $111 million supported communities in the United States and $78 million supported communities in other countries around the world."
http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/community_contributions_report.aspx
I understand that ExxonMobile might not be your favorite company, but to complain about their charitable contributions is just absurd.
Yanquetino 10:40AM (9/17/2009)
Sorry, but you're missing the point, letstakeawalk. ExxonMobil donated $118 million last year?
Let's see then... that amounts to... 1/4th of 1% of their profits... so they ended up with... only $45,082,000,000 in their pockets.
Yet they want OUR tax dollars to fund their hydrogen R&D? So they can then SELL us the hydrogen to keep those profits rolling in? AND make token charitable contributions like this one?
This is why I point out it is pure P.R. I don't know about you, but I am not in favor of the *richest* company on earth spending my tax dollars --for either business or charity.
Jon 3:52AM (9/17/2009)
And now Exxon owns them.
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Mark Kiernan 7:20AM (9/17/2009)
If anyone needs any more reasons to love ExxonMobile (ironic)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExxonMobil#Environmental_record
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Tony Belding 8:07AM (9/17/2009)
How many of these Attack hybrids have they made at that school? Do they put one together every year when a new class comes through? I was just wondering because it keeps popping up in the news. . . . for quite a few years now, as I recall.
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Bus Rand 10:10AM (9/17/2009)
Kind of like liberal Dems and Rhinos in government......eh Nick?
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Bus Rand 10:12AM (9/17/2009)
It's called propaganda Tony.
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Bus Rand 10:40AM (9/17/2009)
Yanquetino, did you know that the oil industry has very high expense in operation, more so than most businesses? Most of the $45.2 bil. is spoken for before anyone pockets it, so you're attempt to demonize them is bogus.
Guess which individuals give the most amount of money to charity in the U.S.? Hands down it's those evil money grubbing conservatives. Yet liberals love to lecture everyone about charity. I'll bet Exxon Mobil has contributed 0.000055% more of their income than most of you who love to criticise.
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Yanquetino 11:04AM (9/17/2009)
Bus Rand, see my reply above to letstakeawalk if you're interested in more numbers. Just remember: YOU, in turn, are donating to ExxonMobil through tax subsidies for the oil industry.
Bus Rand 11:15AM (9/17/2009)
I'm not interested in subsidizing any industry that can't stand on it's own, Auto, Oil, or otherwise. This especially includes the green industry scam which seems to have the current administration in it's back pocket.
Bus Rand 11:21AM (9/17/2009)
You "numbers" still don't account for expenses that amount to billions as well so you're "numbers" are still bogus.
Yanquetino 12:52PM (9/17/2009)
I fail to grasp how the figures are "bogus." Tell you what: please provide all the other numbers for ExxonMobil's "expenses," "taxes," "insurance," "rent," "maintenance," other disbursements, etc., so that we can see each and every other slice of the income pie chart. I don't see how that will change the size of its "charity" slice...?
Put another way, does the IRS calculate the percent of your charitable contributions on your 1040 using your gross income... or only the amount left over after you have paid your house payment, utilities, food, clothing, insurance, gasoline, medical bills, etc.? If the gross amount, I suppose that the figure that you report as charity is also "bogus"...?
Bus Rand 1:27PM (9/17/2009)
I've seen documentaries and interviews both explaining an incredibly high cost of operation. I know people in the industry that have explained this to me as well. I live in Oklahoma and my cousin is a geologist for the oil industry.
The fact that you don't see this as significant is staggeringly ignorant! You are the one trying to lambaste Exxon Mobil with your "numbers". It's your responsibility to find and calculate expenses into your figures, not mine. This clearly demonstrates the massive bias you have on this subject, not to mention being incredibly naive about business.
As a matter of fact, YOU are responsible for reporting charitable contributions and other expenses on your tax forms and the IRS DOES calculate (or deduct) this from your gross income before applying the amount you owe. This is clearly something you have never done and you think you're in the position to bash Exxon Mobil for their so called lack of charity?!?!?!? Dogging charity in amounts that are many times what most of us will make our entire lives! I can't believe you people are for real!!!!!!!